CPA Course Hidden Truths: Adaptive Technology Comparison

Recently, many CPA Review course providers have started describing their courses as adaptive. Once you take a closer look at their software, it becomes pretty clear that most simply are not what they're claiming them to be.

Take Roger's SmartPath™ Technology for example, a software described as "a personalized learning experience." In truth, students' scores are only compared to those of other Roger's students; study material does not actually adapt to performance. At the end of the day, choosing your CPA course is a big decision, and one that should be made carefully. Don’t be caught off guard! Continue reading to discover the hidden truths we’ve uncovered about adaptive learning claims by review course providers.

Overall Adaptive Rankings by Provider

Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™: Overall Adaptive Rating – 5 Stars

Pre-assessments identify student’s strong and weak areas and create a study plan based on result. As the student uses the program, the software continually adapts and delivers study plans guiding the student toward weaker areas and away from stronger areas. The student does not need to study all of the material

Student takes a short pre-assessment at the beginning of each section. While quiz results determine the order of the material the student should study, it does not affect what material the student should study. Study material does not change along the way in response to student progress. Student must study all of the material.

Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology: Overall Adaptive Rating – 2 Stars

Student creates a test planner; the software then inserts course assignments into a calendar. There is a short pre-assessment that does affect the order in which the student completes the sections or the student’s planner. Student must study all of the material.

Student takes a short pre-assessment at the beginning of each section; score determines the order the student should study, not what material the student should study. Study planner is a simple calendar (not student-specific).

Roger's SmartPath™ Technology: Overall Adaptive Rating – 1 Star

While students are now able to compare their score against other Roger CPA Review students, this course does not have any adaptive features, neither in the form of adapting to student progress along the way, nor in creating a customized study plan based on their strengths and weaknesses. In fact, students are not given an assessment to determine their starting point at all.

Adaptive Technology Feature Comparison

1. Assessments

A true assessment will thoroughly assess the student's knowledge of all CPA Exam topics. What we’ve uncovered with other review courses is that these “assessments” are simply a gimmick. They ask a small number of questions in the guise of assessing the student’s knowledge, however an 8-question quiz cannot possibly accurately test a candidate’s knowledge level on a large topic area. We've also found that -with many other courses- nothing is done with the results; study material is not adjusted AT ALL.

At Surgent, we realize that both quantity and quality of assessment questions are critical to getting an accurate read of the student's starting point. The questions on Surgent's assessment cross all topic areas of the CPA Exam. The results are then used to create study sessions for the student driving them to the more difficult areas based on their assessment performance. No other CPA Review provider does that.

Provider

Assessment

Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology

1 8-question quiz

Roger's SmartPath™ Technology

No assessment

Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform

Short assessment at the beginning of each category

Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology

18 question quiz

Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™

10 quizzes comprised of a total 450 questions pulled from all CPA Exam categories.

2. Study Planner

Many leading CPA courses have study planners in some capacity or another. Some place tasks on a static calendar, while others use a spreadsheet. No competitors' study planners adjust to accomodate student progress.

Our software actually calculates how much time a student needs to spend on their study days in order to be prepared. In addition, the calculated study time per day adjusts as progress is made in the course.

Provider

Study Planner

Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology

Static calendar. Software does not calculate study time per day.

Roger's SmartPath™ Technology

Spreadsheet which cannot be customized.

Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform

Static calendar. Software does not calculate study time per day.

Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology

Static calendar. Software does not calculate study time per day.

Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™

Study planner calculates necessary amount of study time per day based on student's chosen availability, and adjusts that study time based on performance.

3. Customized Study Material

Most CPA Review providers expect you to go through all of the material, even for topic areas that the student has already mastered. This results in longer study times and sometimes feeling of frustration.

With Surgent CPA Review, 100% of study material is customized to the student. Factoring in the results of the assessment phase as well CPA Exam content weightings, the Surgent software will drive the student to study activities in the areas where they are showing the least amount of proficiency, instead of wasting their time on material they already know.

Provider

Customized Study Material

Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology

No tailored study plan

Roger's SmartPath™ Technology

No tailored study plan

Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform

No tailored study plan

Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology

Software directs users to specific categories based on assessment results.

Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™

All study material is generated based on assessment results and CPA Exam content weightings.

4. Adaptability to Student Progress

When choosing an “adaptive” CPA Review course, students should question how the adaptability actually functions. They’ll be surprised to find that most CPA Review providers aren’t adapting to the student at all. Students are still required to complete all of the tasks within the software, and most in a very linear approach.

Surgent's adaptive learning software continuously adapts to the student’s performance. Our software drives the student to their more problematic areas, rather than to topics where the student is already proficient. Real-time algorithms factor in student progress, continually refining study material so study time is spent efficiently. The result is a shortened study time (400 hours less than with other courses!) and improved proficiency in troublesome areas.

Provider

Adaptability to Student Progress

Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology

No continuous adaptation

Roger's SmartPath™ Technology

No continuous adaptation

Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform

No continuous adaptation

Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology

Updates somewhat, although does not appear to update based on performance.

5. Content Category Weightings

It should go without saying that understanding how heavily the AICPA will test each content area is critical; students need to make sure they are putting enough emphasis on the more heavily tested topics. We uncovered that no other course takes into consideration content weightings.

With Surgent’s course, category weighting is factored into the algorithm used to determine what questions to deliver to the student. The software will make sure students are spending adequate time on the more heavily tested areas.

6. 1-on-1 Support

The cornerstone of adaptive learning is personalization, and we believe that extends to student support. The truth is, some providers may claim to offer live coaching or training, but we’ve found that students aren’t actually provided a designated mentor. Instead of being able to personally contact someone for help, you’ll need to submit a support ticket…and wait.

At Surgent, we’re committed to getting our students across the finish line. Through our scalable student support options -from CPA Exam success coaches to professor tutors- we’re going along the journey with our students. Success coaches help with accountability, study strategies and test-taking tips, while professor tutors help students master those difficult topics. All of our mentors can be contacted directly by the candidate.

Provider

1-on-1 Support

Becker's Adapt2u Learning Technology

No coaching

Roger's SmartPath™ Technology

Homework Help Center via email. Response time is typically 1-3 days.

Wiley's Efficient Learning Platform

Support available via email

Gleim's SmartAdapt™ Technology

Coaching available

Surgent's A.S.A.P. Technology™

1-on-1 support includes CPA Exam success coaches and accounting professor tutors, who are able to be contacted directly by the student.

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Check back often as we uncover more hidden truths about what CPA review course providers are truly offering!

Note: These reviews were conducted by Surgent product experts, based on public information available, access to actual exam courses, and updated as of 3/15/2018. No external interviews were conducted. The information presented above represents the views of those Surgent product experts only. Updates of these reviews may occur as new information is made available.